A Canadian US-based preacher, who claims to have cured cancer by kicking his followers in the face and stomach, has been banned from Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Todd Bentley (36), who founded the revivalist organization Fresh Fire USA, had planned to hold a series of meetings in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However the British Home Office said Bentley was subject to an exclusion order and would not be permitted entry into the UK.

A spokesperson told the Guardian, “We can confirm that Mr Bentley has been excluded from the UK. The government makes no apologies for refusing people access to the UK if we believe they are not conducive to the public good. Coming here is a privilege that we refuse to extend to those who might seek to undermine our society."

On his website, Bentley released a statement after the Home Office’s decision. He said, “I am deeply saddened by the recent decision of the UK government regarding my entry into the country.

“At this point, we are thankful to God for the support from our friends in the UK who truly love Jesus and embrace the supernatural, faith and healing.

“We know and believe that the UK has a great destiny, and we are praying for the leaders and those in government.

“Please continue to stand with us in prayer regarding this decision and our return to the UK.”

The preacher also pointed out that he had previously visited the UK. His planned tour was set to visit Croydon, south London, Portadown in County Armagh, Liverpool, and Cwmbran in South Wales.

In the bio on Bentley’s website, he explains that during his teens he was an alcoholic and drug addict. However, “a dramatic life-changing encounter with the saving, delivering power of God” turned his life around.

He describes his mission today as traveling “the world to lead the lost into the miraculous, delivered and set free - launched into the reality of intimate relationship with Jesus”.

In videos he is heard telling audiences, “And the Holy Spirit spoke to me, the gift of faith came on me. He said, 'kick her in the face with your biker boot'. I inched closer and I went like this – bam! And just as my boot made contact with her nose, she fell under the power of God.”

Currently Bentley is in Norway for an event called “Miracles, Signs and Wonders”.

Here’s a clip of Todd Bentley talking about his miraculous cancer-healing punch: